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Dry-Bed Training for Bed-Wetting

Topic Overview

Dry-bed training for bed-wetting consists of following a strict schedule for waking the child up at night until he or she learns to wake up alone when needed. The dry-bed training program is implemented over 7 nights.

Night 1: Awaken the child every hour until 1:00 a.m and have him or her go to the bathroom. The counselor who is helping with the training may ask to stay over the first night.

Nights 2 through 6: Awaken the child once a night, 3 hours after falling asleep on the second night and earlier on each subsequent night. On the sixth night, awaken the child 1 hour after bedtime.

Night 7: The child should awaken on his or her own.

After training is complete, repeat the steps if the child wets the bed 3 nights in a row.

This method helps some children stop bed-wetting for a while. But more research is needed to find out if it helps with long-term dryness.1 It may take several months of repeated training to have consistent results. Dry-bed training may take less time and have greater long-term success when it is combined with other treatments, such as a moisture alarm or self-awakening training.

References

Citations

  1. Kiddoo D (2007). Nocturnal enuresis, search date March 2007. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence. Also available online: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MD, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
Last Revised October 26, 2010

Last Revised: October 26, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics & Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MD, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics

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